Chicago - October 17, 2008

Modus Operandy

Province Restaurant Opens

You define ecofriendly as eating moldy cheese and collecting vintage.

For something a bit more impactful, head to Province, Randy Zweiban’s (Nacional 27) newly opened answer to sustainable eats. Recycled design materials prevail in the LEED-certified green building: regenerated leather, cork tabletops, rehabbed woods, and floor-to-ceiling windows.

The food follows suit. Zweiban uses local, biodynamic ingredients in his menu, a mix of Spanish, South American, and classic North American flavors: homemade bread with seasonal spreads, small plates (peekytoe crab toast; tortilla soup, avocado, roasted chicken), and large dishes (house-ground burger, homemade ketchup, brioche).

Killer dessert (crisp cocoa and Capriole Farms goat cheese with brown sugared Seedling Farms apples and creamy molasses) and Spanish- and South America-influenced wine and liquor make your meal complete.

Turns out it’s easy being green.

Province, 161 North Jefferson Street, between Lake and Randolph Streets (312-669-9900 or provincerestaurant.com).